Kristina from Wilmette, IL

Campus security is everywhere. The campus itself is feel pretty safe, but mind that it is in the Southside of Chicago, so always have someone with you when you are walking around, especially at night.

Greek Life

VanderCook has a female professional fraternity, and a male professional fraternity. Otherwise, there are social fraternities offered at IIT that VanderCook students are welcomed to join.

Clubs and Activities

There are many clubs and activities that happen on the IIT campus, where the school is located. VanderCook students are welcomed to join any of them. Many VanderCook students do join the acappella groups.

Great for these types of students

Great for those who are very passionate about music and passing that passion onto future generations. It is a great school for those who really want the small school atmosphere.

Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus

Work at the Midwest Clinic! Even if you are not in band and not performing, it is still a great opportunity! You are given free access into an international convention where you can run into some noteworthy people. If you are in band, you get to perform on the main stage in front of a huge crowd of people!

Bang for the buck

The tuition is high, but the school does award in-house scholarships. I would definitely recommend applying for scholarships and student loans. For the education, the opportunities. and the bonds we build, I think it's totally worth is.

What to do for fun

There's always activities going on around campus! There are a lot of clubs to choose, different sororities and fraternities to join at IIT that VanderCook students are very welcomed to join. VanderCook, being a very small school, has two professional music Greek Life, one for men and one for women. Also, public transportation is everywhere, so it's very easy to go anywhere you want in the city or the suburbs.

Food and Dining

There is a meal plan available, but there is so many restaurants around in the area to explore.

Dorm Life

I personally do not live in the dorms, but I have not heard any complaints. The dorms are a mix of VanderCook, IIT, and Shimer students.

Academic Rigor

We are provided an excellent education by very passionate teachers, who are always willing to make time to help us out. The classes not only challenge us, but to all of us who love music, it's a fun experience to learn all these knew instruments, and learn how we will be able to teach students to use these instruments all at the same time.

Tips for prospective students

Drink the Kool-Aid (Dive into the experience! Work hard, but also have fun!)

In three sentences

This school is the best school for those who want to major in Music Education! We are taught not only to be excellent educators, but also to be excellent performers. The school also provides us with a lot of great opportunities!

Michelle from Romeoville, IL

Reviewer is A current student here.

3 out of 3 people found this review useful.
2 of 7

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Comments

Campus Safety

We have campus security constantly driving around. We have call boxes outside all of the buildings. If you ever don't want to walk somewhere by yourself you can call security and they will escort you to wherever you were going to go. Plus there are policemen driving through campus at all times, however this is not because of security or criminal reasons. They headquarters of the Chicago Police Department is literally on the corner of campus, so crime rates in the area are very low.

Greek Life

There is a female fraternity(SAI) and a male fraternity(PMA) associated with VanderCook. The men's fraternity allows Freshman to pledge during their first semester, the women's fraternity requires you to be in your second semester. Both of these groups are professional not social. If you want to be a part of a social sorority or fraternity then any VanderCook students are allowed to pledge with any of IIT's Greek associations.

What to do for fun

We have the city of Chicago literally right next door. Several times during the year students will jump on the train and one or two stops later their in the heart of the city. VanderCook is constantly getting free tickets to go see the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and we a re able to go see the open rehearsals. You can go to the beach or Navy Pier. You can grab a few friends and go see a movie or go shopping. Your opportunities are virtually endless.

Food and Dining

The Commons is the dining area at IIT. They don't always have the best food, but there are several restaurants around campus that you can eat as well. Meal and bonus points options vary depending on what meal plan you have.

Dorm Life

VanderCook shares a campus with IIT, so we use their dorms. The rooms are expensive, but if you can afford living on campus I highly suggest it. Many of us have classes from 8am to 9pm, and it is nice to be able to just walk a few blocks across campus to your dorm rather than take a train or drive home after a mentally exhausting day.

Academic Rigor

The classes are only as difficult as you make them. Most of your Freshman and Sophomore classes are technique classes in which you learn the different instruments. For some people this is very difficult, for others it's simple. Most of your homework will be practicing the various instruments as well as your major instrument. Hence where time management becomes important. Your general education classes meet once or twice a week in the evening. These are the few classes that actually give you written assignments.

Tips for prospective students

I would suggest picking up other instruments before you get here, and learning how to manage your time responsibly. The two biggest problems students have as Freshman are learning new instruments and managing their time. (When I say that you should start picking up instruments I don't mean you should become a virtuoso, but it would help tremendously if you could play a few notes or a scale on another instrument.)

In three sentences

VanderCook College of Music is a great learning environment. The students and faculty become more of a family, and they will be there to help you with anything whether it's related to school or not. VanderCook provides its students with a unique experience that they would be unable to get anywhere else.

i'm not really aware of the dorm life i'm a commuter. but from what i hear its very great.

Academic Rigor

you will learn a lot and it will all make so much sense especially when it comes to things you find really hard.

Tips for prospective students

don't underestimate yourself! everyone and anyone can help you whenever you need it.

In three sentences

vandercook really helps a person improve their playing skills. when it comes to learning other instruments they help you learn at a fast rate. its a small environment here with a lot of friendly people.

Elisabeth from Niles, MI

for grad school, it is one of the cheaper programs for what you actually learn.

What to do for fun

anything you can imagine is within a train ride. you just have to get used to what cta line goes where.

Food and Dining

there are some great options on campus and around the area. you are in chicago and right near chinatown!!

Dorm Life

you share with iit, but it's nice being so close to the vandercook buildings.

Academic Rigor

the coursework is challenging but very useful.

Tips for prospective students

apply now! you will definitely get something out of attending vandercook.

In three sentences

vandercook is an amazing place if you are planning on being a music teacher or are a teacher going back to get your masters. the information you learn is very useful. the staff is also amazing and very knowledgeable.

Michelle from Romeoville, IL

Reviewer is A current student here.

3 out of 3 people found this review useful.
6 of 7

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Comments

Great for these types of students

VanderCook is a perfect match for any students that work hard and are passionate about music. This is not a program that people can just glide through, it requires lots of practice and effort. If you like a challenge, then this is definitely the place for you.

Tips for prospective students

Although this is a music college, the admissions board does focus on grades. They look for potential as well as academics, so always make time to study.

Bang for the buck

VanderCook provides so many resources for its students. If you need a score, it's right there in the library. If you need to work on ear training we have programs on the computers to help you. If you like to write your own music, we have recording software as well as programs like Finale, Sibelius, and MuseScore. College is never cheap, but here at VanderCook every cent of your tuition comes back to you in some way.

Am enjoying being here

There is tons of stuff to do on and around campus. Since VanderCook is located minutes away from the city of Chicago, there are literally hundreds of things going on every day. Plus, you have a CTA pass included in your tuition so you can take the CTA trains anywhere for free.

Am learning a lot

All of the classes here are small and allow the teacher to give students one on one attention when they need it.

Guadalupe from Streamwood, IL

Students that have a passion for music and the desire to teach others about music.

Tips for prospective students

-Be very open minded about new concepts on how to do something. -Practice makes perfect or as close as you could possibly get to it :) -Relax and have fun, remember to breathe!

Bang for the buck

I feel that I am getting a really great education at VanderCook, I have learned some neat things about some instruments. Also some cool things about my major, violin.

Am enjoying being here

The school is fun, there are ensembles that you can join or if you really want you can make up your own ensembles,. The school environment is really nice and there is no major hostilities. Its just a great place to be, if music is your passion

Am learning a lot

The teacher at VanderCook strive to help you learn as much as possible. So when you start to teach, you will be more prepared than you could possibly imagine.

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